Vehicle spring suspension.



R. S. TROTT.

VEHICLE SPRING SUSPENSION. ftPPLICATION man AUG-I. 1914.

1,221,2486 I Patented-A r. 3,1917.

7R. S, TRON.

VEHICLE SPRNG SUSPENSION;

APPLICATION FILED AUG.h ISM.

Patented Apli 3, 1917.

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R. s. TR OTYT v mcua srnme 'susrausmu.

I APPLICATION FILED AUG-1| 9H. I 1,22 ,248, 'Pa-tentedApr. 3, 1917.

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MAE-15W Wiimeoow R; s. TRON.

VEHICLE SPRING SUSPENSSON.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-1'1 I914.

Paiiented Apr. 3,1917

; ITED STATES PATENT oEFro noLLANn s. TROTT, OF DENVER, oonomno.

VEHICLE SPRING SUSPENSION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

"Patented Ap r. a, 1917.

Application filed August 1, 1914. Serial No. 854,572.

- ticularly to a suspension adapted for use on the driveqxle of a self-propelled vehicle.

With a motor vehicle, when the clutch is thrown iir'to transmit power to the drive axle a twistihgstrain is transmitted thereto, due to the inertia of the vehicle in repose. When a structure as that disclosed in my Patents Nos. 1,029,732 and 1,029,731, issued on June 18, 1912, is used, the axle is permitted to, move forward with "respect to its normal relation with the frame, and this in a measure alleviates the strain upon the axle. 1 However, with this structure, when the'wheels strike an obstruction, as for instance a rut in the road, the wheels pause momentaril until the load springs can compress sufliciently to take up the height of the obstruction. This pause of the wheels causes their rotation to cease, and as the driving power is applied continuously to the drive axle, a condition similarto that 'in starting is created.

It is the object of this invention to so construct the suspension'thatthe axle and axle housing may have a turning movement with respect to the frame, and after the force exerting this turning movement is removed,

will be brought back to normal;

' A further object is to so connect the parts that the movement of the axle in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the frame to compensate for endwise shock and in a vertical path to take the load shocks is not interferedv with.

This invention relates to still other novel features of construction and combinations of parts which'will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a view in top plan, showing one adaptation of the inveption;

Figs. 2 and 3 are-similar views showing modifications of the structure;

Fig. 4c is a sectional view through the frame on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.;

Fig. 5 illustrates the suspension applied to amodified form of load spring;

Fig. (3 is a detail view with parts in secting to better illustrate the restoring means an Fig. 7 isa fragmentary side elevation.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing the pivotal connection between the spring and the axle housing.

In the forms illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,

any form of load-spring may be used, the

essential point being that it is mounted between the frame and axle-housing 1 to permit movement of the axle-housing 1 in the direction of'the longitudinal extent of the frame B, and a twisting -movement of the axle-housing l with respect to its connection with the springs. i

In Fig. 1, the cross members 2, 2, are connected between the side members to form a part of the frame B. Rods 3, 3 are mounted between the cross-members 2 to extend parallel with theside members-of the frame. i

is mounted to slide on these -versal joint 7 with the cross-head 4. Springs 6, 6, are lnounted on each side of the crosshead 4 to resiliently oppose the slidingmovement of this head. q

A power shaftl) extends from the drive axle up through the universal connection 7 and a universal joint 8 is provided in the power shaft D to permitthe turning movement of the axle housing.

A torsion rod E is secured at its one end to the axle housing 1 to be rigid thereon, and the forward end of'this torsion rod is connected to a slide block 9 mounted to slide in a yoke 10, as better shown in Fig. 6. The bearing brackets 11, 11 are secured to the reach C to extend downwardly, and

the yoke 10 is pivotally mounted by trunnions 12, 12 between these brackets. As

stated, the block 9 is mounted to slide in the yoke 10, and springs 13 and 14 are mounted to be above and below this slide block.

In Fig. 2, the same reference characters are used, the essential difference being that the forward endof the reach C is connected to'the one side of a full elliptical spring Min 15, which at its opposite side is secured to one member of a universal ioint 10. the other member of which is carried by a cross bar l? of the frame. In this form. the entire reach structure has movement. and the connection between the axle and the frame is at a fixed point. which is the universal joint 16. In the disclosure in Fig. 3. the frame, supporting wheels, axle and housing are the same. However, the toggle G is connected across the frame between the side. members, as better shown in Fig. l.

This toggle has a set of arms 18 near each end, and draw rods C are pivotally connected with these arms and have pivotal connection with the axle housing: at 5. In this adaptation. the rods C take the place of. and perform the same function as, the reach C. and by reason of the fact that the two. sets of arms must necessarily turn in the same swinging path when the toggle turns, the axle is always maintained in its same right-angular relation with respect to the longitudinal extentof the frame. A third set of arms is positioned to extend lownwardly from the toggle at a point near 1 the center.

A torsion rod E is secured to the axle -housing- 1 and extends forward to connect with the slide block 9 mounted in the yoke it) pivoted between the arms 19. The other parts of this yolte are the same as shown in Fin. 3.

ln :3 the frame B is made slightly i'litt'm'cniv in that the ends of the side members are curved downwardly at 20. Brackets 21 are connected with the side members at a point forward of this curved cnd. X toggle shaft 22 similar to the toggle C is pivoted between the hracltcts .21.

Arms 2'3 are connected with this shaft :32 near each end to extend upwardly. Links are connected with the end it) of the frame. and semi-elliptical load springs 25 are pi otally connected with the arms 23 and w ith the links it so that the axlc'housingr 1 may have movcuu-nt in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the frame as with the other forms heretofore described. and by reason of the fact that the arms '23 are conncctcd with the toggle shaft and must turn together, the ctfcct is the same as described with reference to Fig. 3. that the axle is maintained in its right angular position with respect to the longitudinal extent of the frame.

A third set of arms 26 is provided on the toggle shaft and a yoke 10 is pivotally mounted between these "arms. A radius rod :27 is secured to the axle housing l. and is connected as shown in Fig. (1 with the yoke 10'. A pivotal connection is provided at 23 between the axle housing and the Stl1ll-(*lllptical spring 2.) to permit themovcment of the axle housing.

BEST AVAILABLE COP In each of the disclosures, the structure, while varied in a mechanical way, is substantially the same in its operation, and the essential feature, namely the connection of the radius rod with a part of the structure mounted to have the same movement as the axle. and to resiliently permit twisting of the axle housing is :utcoinplishcd.

While I have shown the invention applied in several connections, it is evident that: it is adaptable, with slight modifications. in any connection where the axle. is permitted to have movement with respect to the frame. as set forth. and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact structure herein set forth, but

I claim:

1. The combination with a vehicle frame and axle-housing: of load springs connected between said parts to permit movement of the axle-housing in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the frame, means extending from the axlehousing and connected with the frame to permit said movement and to hold the axle-housing against twisting or side movement. the connection between the axle-housing and load springs formed to permit turningmovement of the axle-housing. and means connected with the' axle-housing and resiliently connected with said first means to rcsilimitly oppose said turning movement and to restore the parts to normal when the turning strain is released.

2. The combination with a vehicle frame and axle-housing, of load springs connected between said parts to permit movement; of the axle-housing! in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the frame. means c0nncctcd between the axle-housing and frame to permit said movement of the axle-housing and to preclude twisting: or sidemovement;

the connection between the axle-housing and load springs formed to permit turning movement of the axle-housing.,a torsion rod secured to the axle-housing, and resiliently c0nnccted with said means for holding the axlehousing against twisting movement to 0pposc the turning movement and to restore the parts to normal when the turning strain is removed.

3. The combination with a vehicle frame and axle-housing, of load springs connected between said parts to permit movement of the axle-housing m the direct-ion of the longitudinal extent of the frame, a r iach con ncctcd between the axle-housing and frame to permit said movement and acting to preclude twisting or side movement of the axlehousing, the connection between the axlehousing and load springs formed to permit turning; movement of the axle-housing, and

means connected between the axle-housing and thercach to'rcsihently oppose said turning movement and torestore the parts to their normal position when the turning strain is removed.

4. The combination with a vehicle frame and axle-housing, of load springs connected between said parts to permit movement of the axle-housing in the direction of the lon-, gitudinal extent of the frame, a reach connected between the axle-housing and frame to permit said movement and acting to preclude side or twisting movement of the axle housing, the axle-housing mounted with respect to the springs and reach to, have turning movement, and a torsion rod connected between the reach and the axle-housing to resiliently oppose said turning movement and to restore theaXle-honsing-to its normal position when the turning strain is removed. 1

The combination with a vehicle frame and axle-housing, of load-springs connected between said parts to permit movement of the axle housing in the direction of the lon- I gitudinal extent of the frame, a reach con-' nected between the axle-housing and frame to permit said movement and to preclude side or twisting movement of the axle-house ing, said axle-housing connected to have turning movement with respect to the load springs and the reach structure, a torsion rod secured to the axle-housing and a resilient connection formed between the free end of the torsion rod and the reach to oppose the turning movement of the axle-honsing and to restore the parts to normal when the turning-strain is released.

6. The combination-with a vehicle frame, springs and axle-housing, of means connect-' ed to frame and axle-housing to maintain the axle-housing at right-angles to the line of draft and resiliently oppose its relative horizontal movement, and additional means connected to the first-named means to resiliently oppose the ti'irning movement of the axle-housing about, its axis.

7. The combination with springs, of a 8. The combination with s rin 's of a vehicle frame and axle-housing and means mounted between them to maintain the axlehousing at right-angles to theline of draft, and resiliently oppose its relative horizontal movement and its turning movement about its axis.

' 9. The combination of a vehicle frame and axle-housing, of springs mounted between them, means between frame and axle-hoes ing to maintain the axle-housing at rightangles to the line of draft, and means connected with said means to resiliently oppose turning movement of the axleehousmg about its axis.

10. In combination with a vehicle frame,

an axle-housing, load springs connected between sa d parts to permit relative horizontal movement of axle houslng and frame,

means to maintain the axle-housing at rightangles to the line of draft and resiliently oppose its horizontal movement, and means attached thereto to resiliently oppose-turning movement of the axle-housing about ts axis.

In testimony whereof 'I-afiix my signature,

in the presence of two witnesses.

' HOLLAND s. 'rnorr.

VVitnes ses I A. L. OLMs'rnn, -Annnn'r R. BURGHARDT. 

